15 Fortune 500 CEOs who got their start in the military

Few institutions teach discipline, management, logistics, and efficiency like the US Armed Forces, so it’s no surprise that Ranker’s list of Fortune 500 CEOs finds many military veterans.

Below are some of the most accomplished military vets who went on to lead Fortune 500 companies.

Proctor and Gamble: Robert A. McDonald

The Christian Science Monitor

Robert A. McDonald wanted to be in the Army so bad that he wrote his congressman for an special exemption at just 11 years old. Eventually, he came of age and got his wish, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division and retiring with the rank of Captain.

He is a former CEO of Proctor and Gamble, and the current secretary of Veterans Affairs in the Obama Administration, where he works to improve veteran's access to healthcare.

Casey's General Store: Robert Myers

Robert Myers spent 22 years in the US Army, serving in Germany, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait and finally retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1988.

After retiring, began working at Casey's General as a manager. Within a few years he worked his way up to the top of the corporation, which owns hundreds of stores across America, many of which are situated in small towns with populations of 5,000 or less.

Lockheed Martin: Robert J. Stevens

Unlike other members of this list, Robert Stevens joined the US Marines straight out of high school at the age of 18. He became a highly decorated serviceman, receiving several awards including the Globe and Anchor Award from the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, the Congressional Medal of Honour Foundation's Circle of Honour Award, and the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation's Semper Fidelis Award.

ConocoPhillips: James Mulva

http://newshopper.sulekha.com

James Mulva recently stepped down as CEO of the energy giant, ConocoPhillips, which he had led since 2002.

Mulva attended college in an ROTC program, before being stationed by the US Navy in Bahrain. While in the Middle East, he learned about the energy industry, and its geopolitical implications first hand.

FedEx: Frederick W. Smith

DePaul Law

Frederick Smith began his life as the son of a prominent businessman, but with a condition that left him confined to crutches until the age of 10. He outgrew his ailment, went on to play sports in high school, and ultimately to be the CEO of FedEx.